October 25, 2012

As the wedding season is winding down for us, Luke and I have a little more time to enjoy being at home. And as many of you know, Luke and I love (ok maybe are obsessed) with DIY projects. There is something just so gratifying about creating something out of almost nothing. We've made our own beer, wine, cheese, gelato, home roasted coffee... And now lately I've been experimenting with making my own natural leaven bread in the French country style. Thanks to my new Tartine Bread book we got for a wedding gift. I love cookbooks like this!

I'm not new to bread making, and I've made lots of bread with commercial yeast in the past, but this was way harder than I expected, though totally worth it. I made my own starter with just flour and water, then waited for the natural yeast and bacteria in the air to collect and grow. After a week I had a nice starter going and attempted my first loaf. First loaf failed! It came out rock hard and dense, I needed to give the rising more time as I had rushed it along somewhat (note to self: don't start making bread at 1pm). Plus what I really needed was a dutch oven to simulate a steaming sealed wood-oven chamber. Second attempt was perfection, crunchy crust and moist inside! This bread was so addictively good, we couldn't stop eating it! It felt really good to have actually made my own real bread from what I "collected" out of the air with a little water, flour and salt! Some of the best things are the most elemental... simple.

I'm going to try to keep making this bread as much as my schedule allows, until I get better (my third attempt failed again- I accidentally left the rising dough in a 350 degree oven--duh distracted!) It literally takes a whole 9 hr day, but Ive found that I can work at the same time and take "bread kneading breaks." Who wouldn't want to put their hands into warm gooey bread dough after working at a desk for hours? Well until the next project... hmmm mushroom growing?!

October 18, 2012

Jordan and Derick had the sweetest wedding at Nestldown. Jordan made most of the details herself with the help of family and friends, from signs and chalkboards to the tree branches draped in crystals and air plants. After riding the train into their reception they had a candlelit dinner on the lawn, which made for the perfect romantic setting for these two lovely people.

October 11, 2012

Jen and Adam had the sweetest wedding day celebration at Kohl Mansion. They got married on the lawn under crystal chandeliers representing their grandparents, and the reception was held in the courtyard lit up with strings of lights. Adrianna from Dream a Little Dream Events did an amazing job, and we were so impressed by how many of the details Jen did herself (she learned letterpress to do her own invitations and menus! how cool is that) We had a great time working with Caroline from Tinywater Photography. Check out her sneak peak of Jen & Adam's gorgeous photos on her blog!

October 04, 2012

Mariel and George are one of the most fun and adorable couples we have ever met, just full of life and love. They were married at beautiful Nestldown, under the shady redwoods. They did rock, paper & scissors during their ceremony to see who would say their vows first! Mariel infused their celebration with fun handmade School House details (she's a teacher). She made wedding day report cards, ad libs, and fortune tellers, and each table marker was a library book, with old school photos of themselves. Even milk and cookies were laid out as a bedtime snack. We got to work with Lindsey and Nathan of Bellalu Photography who always make the day fun! Amy Frugoli of Twitterpated Weddings did an amazing job, along with Kellye Clifford of Precious and Blooming, Sweet Tooth Confections who did the "bake sale" desserts, and the catering by Thomas John was amazing, one of our absolute favorites of the Bay Area.

October 01, 2012

As some of you may know Pamela is also an artist and illustrator. She recently had a huge opportunity to help create an animated music video for the band Darlingside, with two friends Abe Dieckman who did the amazing animation, and Timothy Hahn, producer. She created the background paintings and textures, as well as many of the individual assets: trees, clouds, plants, stars, furniture etc. It turned out beautifully and the team is so proud to share it! It was just mentioned on Cartoon Brew, Everything Animated, Maimed and Tamed, and was a staff pick on Vimeo! We are trying to get the word out so please share it in as many ways as you can.